Amnesty International Again Demands End To Continued Harassment Of Chioma Okoli By Nigerian Government

Amnesty International has demanded an immediate halt to the harassment and intimidation of Chioma Okoli by both the Nigeria Police Force and Erisco Foods Limited. The global human rights organization has reiterated this call, emphasizing the urgent need to cease the continued harassment faced by Okoli, a female customer of Erisco Foods Limited who has been on trial since 2023 due to her critical review of the company’s tomato product on Facebook.

Amnesty International highlighted that Okoli has endured distressing levels of intimidation since September 2023, orchestrated by Nigerian authorities at the behest of Erisco Foods. The organization stressed the imperative for this intimidation and harassment to cease without delay.

Expressing its stance on X platform, Amnesty International stated, “Amnesty International again calls on the Nigerian authorities to end the ongoing harassment of Chioma Okoli. Since September last year, she has endured harrowing intimidation. It must end now. The Nigerian authorities must end the harassment of Chioma Egodi and cease using the Cybercrime Act to violate her rights.”

Chioma faced arrest and intimidation by Nigeria Police Force operatives under the directive of Erisco Foods due to her Facebook post critiquing one of the company’s food products. This incident led to widespread condemnation, with some Nigerian users on social media threatening to boycott all Erisco Foods products, citing allegations of bullying and intimidation against Okoli for her negative review of the company's tomato product.